Childhood sexual abuse in black men who have sex with men: results from three qualitative studies.
This report describes the high prevalence and context of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) among Black men who have sex with men (MSM) across 3 independent qualitative studies. Semistructured one-on-one interviews were conducted with 87 Black MSM across 3 cities (Rochester, NY, n = 28; Lexington, KY /Atlanta, GA, n = 30; and Atlanta, GA, n = 29). A combined CSA prevalence of 32% (28/87) was found among the 3 samples, despite variation in geographic location, mean age, and sexual identification. Common themes emerging across the 3 samples included prolonged and repeated abuse by a close male relative; blaming of same-sex desire on CSA; and descriptions of adverse mental health reactions to CSA. Implications of CSA and its potential influence on the mental health and risky sexual behavior among Black MSM are discussed.
Fields
Sheldon D
SD
School of Nursing, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14642, USA. sheldon_fields@urmc.rochester.edu
Malebranche
David
D
Feist-Price
Sonja
S
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000208:ethnology; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002648:Child; D002650:Child Abuse, Sexual / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000208:ethnology; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires